Helicopter kite



July 7, 195 9 E. WILSON HELICOPTER KITE Filed Nov. 7, 1957 FIG.

FIG. 2.

IN V EN TOR.

Earl 1.. WTI sbn United States Patent M HELICOPTER KI'IE Earl L. Wilson, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application November 7, 1957, Serial No. 694,958

3 Claims. (Cl. 244-154) This invention relates to amusement devices and more particularly to a kite simulating a helicopter, in flight.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a kite that resembles a helicopter in flight which is provided with an animated rotor and a simulated rear stabilizer propeller.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a helicopter kite of the above type that can be packaged in a small container for shipping, is easily assembled and has a very realistic helicopter appearance.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a helicopter kite bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and eflicient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a helicopter kite made in accordance with one form of the present invention in flight;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of certain parts of the kite shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a modified form of construction; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse cross sectional view showing the connection between certain elements of the kite.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 thereof, a helicopter kite made in accordance with one form of the present invention is shown to include a longitudinal strut 17 that extends concentrically through a hollow conical main body section 12 and an associated conical tail section 13. The tail section 13 is of greater slope than the conical main body conical section 12 so as to provide the double slope appearance shown. The front end of the main body section 12 corresponding to the base of the conical section is provided with a hoop 15 which maintains the circular base configuration thereof. A pair of arcuate ribs extend forwardly from the hoop 15 to provide a skeleton frame work for supporting a segmental spherical sheet 21 that resembles the cockpit of a helicopter. A bridle string 23 is secured within the cover 21 and extends forwardly at a mid section thereof for securement to the kite string 24. Each side of the main section 12 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart openings 26 through which air is allowed to escape to help stabilize the kite in flight. The tail section 13 is provided with staggered smaller openings 27 to permit some of the air to pass outwardly therethrough and to help to maintain the conical shape of the various sections. A rotor assembly is rotatably mounted upon the upper end of a transverse strut 18 that extends diametrically across the hoop 15 and is connected at its mid section to the longitudinal strut 17. This rotor assembly includes a hub 28 that is provided with angularly inclined slots for receiving the blades 30. It is to be noted that A 2,893,663 Patented 'July 7,, 1959 ICC each slot is at a different level on' the hub that the blades'may extend toward the center of the hub instacked relationship with each other, whereby a pin. may be extended therethrough for securing engagement to. the transverse strut 18. This particular construction assures that all the parts of the rotor assembly are integrally connected together soas to prevent looseness and any wobbling of the blades in flight. This also facilitates as sembly and disassembly of the rotor assembly for transportation between the different locations. A simulated tail stabilizer propeller 29 is secured to the rear end of the longitudinal strut 17 to further add to the authenticity of the kite, as does the landing gear 31 which is connected to the bottom of the main housing section 12.

Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawing, a modified form of construction is shown that includes a single conical section 36 which represents the main body of the helicopter, the base of which is provided with a hoop 37 for retaining the shape thereof in the manner hereinbefore described. The longitudinal strut 39 extends concentrically through the main body section 36 and has a washer 40 supported upon the mid section thereof within the apex of the conical main section 36. This main body section 36 also has openings 38 for facilitating the passage of air therethrough as described above. A substantially flat tail strip 42 is secured to the rear end of the main body section 36 and to the rear end of the longitudinal strut 39 which also supports a tail stabilizer 44 which resembles a rotating propeller of a helicopter. A front flat vertical stabilizer 48 is coplanar with tail strip 42 and is provided with a bridle string 50 that extends between the opposite ends of the transverse strut 47 that extends diametrically across the hoop 37 and is connected at its mid portion to the longitudinal strut 39. This bridle string is also secured to the front end of the longitudinal strut 39 to assist the transverse strut 47 in drawing the hoop 37 forwardly so as to stress the conical sheet 36 against the fixed washer 40. The kite string 51 is secured to the bridle string 50 above the level of the longitudinal strut 39. A rotor unit having a hub 46 similar to the hub 28 hereinbefore described is rotatably mounted upon the upper end of the transverse strut 47 for supporting the blades 45 in a similar manner.

Referring now to Figure 4 of the drawing, a fastener 53 is shown for facilitating the securement of the intersecting longitudinal strut 39 and transverse strut 47.

The vertical stabilizers help to prevent roll over when the kite moves from side to side and also helps to prevent lateral turning thereof. A print of a simulated pilot may be made on the stabilizer so as to add to the authenticity thereof. Unlike other helicopter kites, the lift of the present kite is provided by the body or cabin part rather than the rotor blades and being of a cone shape is adapted to receive a larger volume of air so that all that is necessary is to let the kite string out and the kite will rapidly ascend. The tail section helps to prevent the kite from turning on a lateral plane, keeping the nose and lifting end to the wind. Thus, a very stable and authentic helicopter kite is provided which is both educational and amusing to adults and children alike.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A helicopter kite comprising a longitudinal strut, a conical main body portion partially encircling said longitudinal strut and having a base spaced inwardly from the front end of said strut, a transverse strut connected to said longitudinal strut adjacent to said base and the ends of said transverse strut connected to diametrically opposite sides of said base, a rotor secured to one end of said transverse strut, and a rear stabilizer secured to the rear end of said longitudinal strut, said conical main body portion having a conical flexible sheet, and said base having a substantially rigid'hoop, a tail section intermediate said main body section and said rear stabilizer, said main body portion includes a plurality of ports communicating with the interior and exterior of the body portion permitting the passage of air therethrough to obtain lift.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said tail section comprises a hollow conical section of greater slope than the conical main body portion and integral with the end thereof opposite from said base concentric with said longitudinal strut.

3. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said tail section comprises a flat panel and a front stabilizer extending between said hoop and said front end of said longitudinal strut.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,840,951 Heisenfeldt et al Jan. 12, 1932 2,181,477 Chupp Nov. 28, 1939 2,222,402 Carrasco Nov. 19, 1940 2,520,704 Wisney Aug. 29, 1950 2,781,989 Hagood et a1. Feb. 19, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 420,824 Italy May 6, 1947 751,828 Great Britain July 4, 1956 815,811 France Apr. 19, 1937 

